Originally this place was recommended by the concierge at the Hyatt hotel in Ebisu, which is where we stayed the second time we came to Tokyo. We didn't get in that time. The third time we went to Tokyo, right before we moved into our apartment, we literally had to take a picture of the restaurant's sign so we could get the concierge to make us a reservation. This is the sign. I have no idea what it says.
So we finally walk into this place and realize it only has eight seats. Eight - that's it. And it looks like a sushi bar and the bar is made of some aromatic wood that smells wonderful. Usually I want to dance on the bar. This time I wanted to lay on it and just smell it, maybe roll around on it.
The tempura chef, like a sushi chef stands behind the bar. Unfortunately you can't really see from this picture but behind the chef was this picture window with illuminated trees. It looked magical.
But here's the thing, I know for a fact those trees are actually on a storm drain. Yet, at night, framed in the picture window, and illuminated - they glow.
We learned right away - there was no menu. On the bar was this wooden display case and in it were displayed all the food the chef was going to prepare for the eight guests that night. It was like art.
So for drinks we ordered sake. But instead of bringing out two glasses and a mini jug. They presented us with a box filled with an assortment of sake glasses. I wish we had taken a picture. Each was unique. I chose the prettiest glass - an elegant cut crystal, cobalt blue glass. Russell chose a rustic stone cup with a metallic interior.
Russell chose wisely.
After a few pours from the sake pitcher I realized, that somehow, my glass was always empty first. I mean yes I'm a drinker but then so is Russell (why do you think I married him). I pointed out to him I thought my glass was smaller. He emphatically denied it; said it was an optical illusion. I bought this for another two pours when I found myself dry, again, and him still sipping merrily. I told him to pour his glass into mine (which was still half full), and wouldn't you know it - it filled my entire glass up. Needless to say I had to confiscate his glass. "Mine" I said.
This was not our first course. The first course was a teeny tiny little crab the chef let walk along his spoon so we could see how fresh it was before he dredged it and fried it before our eyes.
It was barely a mouthful and outstanding. This was nothing like tempura in the states. In the states tempura is a clump of deep fried dough, generally several inches thick which happens to be stuffed with a shriveled piece of shrimp or vegetable, or more times than not, nothing. This was AMAZING!!!! The flavors of the fish and vegetables were intensified by the sheerest, yet crunchiest crust.
I found heaven and it's deep fried.
This is a whole fish which you eat like a potato chip.
But this ain't no Lays brother.
This was an entire crab shell. The meat had been taken out and mixed with some herbs and then tempura-ed (technical term). Ambrosia.
Russell and I were so happy. The three Asian women, who kept watching our reactions to each course, were happy, and the two completely drunk guys that walked in about five minutes before we left (around 10p) to take the last two seats, well they were really happy. Russell and I were enthusiastically adding this to our guest repertoire - we're going to take ALL our friends here!!!"
Then we got the bill. It got very quiet. Russell looked like he was going to pass out. I had to give him some of my sake - a sacrifice.
Suddenly we realized we would be the only ones dining here.
I found heaven and it's expensive.
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